Aleuria aurantia

Aleuria aurantia, the Orange Peel Fungus, is initially cup shaped but develops into a contorted bowl, often splitting. It is most frequently found on disturbed soil beside woodland paths.

This is the only Elf Cup fungus that is edible; the others are in varying degrees poisonous, although some become edible if thoroughly cooked.

Unfortunately, despite its attractive appearance, the Orange Peel Fungus is not particularly tasty, and so it is rarely used except in small quantities to add colour to salads.

These striking cup fungi vary in colour from pale orange through to a very deep orange-red inside the cup, while the outer surface is paler and covered in a very fine down.

Description	The cups are initially round but soon develop wavy margins and have a tendency to split. Up to 10 cm across, but more commonly 3 to 6 cm, they are shiny on the inside (hymenial or spore-bearing) surface and downy on the outside.
	The cup is typically 2 to 4 cm tall and is attached to the soil by mycelial threads and without a visible stipe. The pale outer surface is infertile; the spores are produced on the shiny inner surface of the cup.
Spore print	White.
Odour/taste	Not distinctive.
Habitat	On and beside disturbed paths, particularly on gravelly soil.
Season	August to early November.
Occurrence	Frequent
Similar species	Sarcoscypha coccinea, the Scarlet Elf Cup, is bright red and grows on dead trigs and branches, often within hedgerows.

Identification guide

Description

Spore print

Odour/taste

Habitat

Season

Occurrence

Similar species